It only took two KHL games for Nik Antropov to reach his tipping point.
At nearly the fourteen minute mark of Monday's match between Barys Astana and HC Slovan Bratislava, a fracas broke out in front of the Slovan goalmouth.
Goaltender Jaroslav Janus had just covered the puck after a flurry of chances when Antropov made his way to the top of the crease and swept the puck past the Slovakian netminder into an open net. Obviously, Martin Stajnoch took exception.
What proceeded was a twenty-four second hug between Antropov and the 22 year old defenseman, in which both combatants proved they do not possess any level of expertise in chucking knuckles. Both players were assessed five minute majors for roughing.
Antropov finished the game with one goal to go with his five minutes served, falling only one assist short of a modified Gordie Howe hat-trick (a real Gordie Howe hat-trick substitutes a fighting major with an elbowing minor).
But at the very least, Antropov proved in the immortal words of Teddy KGB that he won't be pushed around.
Ed. Note: The fight starts at the 0:33 second mark. Ivan Svarny and Samvel Mnatsyan in a riveting battle to start the clip.
